Vagifem/breastfeeding

[Faerieshadow]

I posted in Heath and Healing but haven't gotten any responses, I was hoping some of you mamas might know. My obgyn just prescribed Vagifem (basically tablets of estrogen that I'm supposed to, well, insert) to help my body's healing process. I'm a little weirded out at the thought of putting hormones into myself in any case, but the ob also told me that it can affect my milk supply. She said it would be only like "producing 18 oz a day instead of 20". I'm just not sure about this whole thing. On the one hand I would love to eradicate the healing problem (granular tissue), but on the other hand I worked so hard on my milk supply I can't imagine deliberately doing something that would decrease it! Help me out, mamas!

[mama24-7]

i don't know specfically about the drug but do know that the birth control that's safe to use while BFcan effect supply negatively. you could consult an IBCLC or an LLL Leader about it.

i would ask for an alternative if you haven't already discussed it with your dr.

sus

[Pen]

I would continue to ask around looking for people who have used the drug. If you do decide to go with it, maybe it would help to ttry and bulk up your milk supply even more before you start the drug?
Sorry, I don't have experience with this one.

[Song of Joy]

I spoke with my LLL co-leader today and she looked it up in Hale's book for you. There is no reference to it, aside from the one that I sent the link for. Sorry there is not more info out there for you!

The idea of bulking up your supply some before trying it is a good one. There are tons of things you can do for that. I'm sure a quick search here will do the trick. One thing I learned recently at our LLL conference was that alfalfa is supposed to be awesome. 4-6 capsules before bed is supposed to make you super full by morning.

Anyway, I hope you don't have much difficulty finding a solution that works for everyone!

Carrie

[Belle]

I used an Estrogen cream (Estrace). My OB told to use a small a dose as was effective, because it could effect my milk supply. He suggested a half a dose a day to start and then gradually reduce my usage to a couple times a week. I was more conservative than that. I've used about a half a dose a week since he prescribed it about four weeks ago.

I haven't noticed a drop in my milk supply. and it's definately been effective, so I'm about ready to drop it altogether. Taking hormones long term kind of freaks me out. I got hot flashes from it too.

[Momtwice]

When nursing mamas don't get their periods for a while, their body gets a break from estrogen. This time of rest from estrogen is associated with lower risks of reproductive cancers in women who have breastfed.

You may want to weigh this information against any possible family tendencies, and the benefits of the medication.

This is mentioned in these links.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020700.asp
http://www.lightparty.com/Health/10R...reastfeed.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...420755-0751003

the first and last links are by the same authors so they may repeat some stuff

[Faerieshadow]

Thanks so much for your help and words, mamas... I have decided to wait it out. I put WAY too much effort into maintaining my milk supply to jeopardize that for ds, so the problem can wait until he's decided he's ready to wean as far as I'm concerned. I can't see it mattering too much in the long run other than perhaps another dose of silver nitrate for me if it starts to come back before he weans.